Accident Overview
The accident occurred when the pilot aborted a landing and subsequently lost control during takeoff. The airplane entered an aerodynamic stall and struck the ground.
Sequence of Events
According to a passenger description, the pilot's approach was not stabilized. During the landing, the airplane touched down twice, and the propeller blades made contact with the runway. The pilot then decided to abort the landing, as he believed the airplane could not be stopped on the runway. During the subsequent takeoff and initial climb, approximately 100 feet above ground level, the pilot executed a tight left turn to avoid traffic on an intersecting runway. The airplane entered an aerodynamic stall and impacted the ground.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane found no preimpact malfunctions or deficiencies that would have prevented normal operation. The right main landing gear was found in the stowed position, with scraping marks on its wheel axle and gear door. However, airport surveillance video showed that all three landing gear appeared to be down during the takeoff following the aborted landing.
Probable Cause
The probable cause was the pilot's decision to continue an unstabilized approach, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his failure to maintain proper airspeed and climb attitude after aborting the landing, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and resulting in an aerodynamic stall.